Systems, methods, and devices for interconnecting network devices

Abstract

An apparatus for interconnecting devices in a network comprises a connection interface with a first face and a second face opposite the first face. The apparatus includes a first 2D array of first connection points arranged on the first face of the connection interface. Each first connection point in each column of the first 2D array connects to a different host device from among a plurality of host devices, and each first connection point in each row of the first 2D array connects to a single host device from among the plurality of host devices. A second 2D array of second connection points is arranged on the second face of the connection interface. Each second connection point is connected to a respective first connection point, each second connection point in each column of the second 2D array connects to a single network switch from among a plurality of network switches, and each second connection point in each row of the second 2D array connects to a different network switch from among the plurality of network switches.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for interconnecting devices in a network, comprising:
 a panel comprising a first face and a second face opposite the first face;   first connection points arranged on the first face of the panel in a first direction, wherein each first connection point is connectable to a corresponding port of a single host device; and   second connection points arranged on the second face of the panel in the first direction, wherein each second connection point is connected to a respective first connection point, and wherein each second connection point is connectable to a corresponding port of a different network switch in a plurality of network switches that route traffic for the single host device.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first connection points are aligned with one another in the first direction. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the second connection points are aligned with another in the first direction. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the first connection points and the second connection points are arranged on the panel to overlap one another in a plan view. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a plurality of interconnects that connect the first connection points to the second connection points.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the first connection points and the second connection points are arranged on the panel such that each of the plurality of interconnects travels a minimum distance between a respective first connection point and a respective second connection point. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of interconnects pass through the panel. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of interconnects comprise electrical interconnects, optical interconnects, or a combination of electrical interconnects and optical interconnects. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first connection points and the second connection points comprise electrical connectors, optical connectors, or a combination of electrical connectors and optical connectors. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the panel is planar. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for interconnecting devices in a network, comprising:
 a connection interface comprising a first face and a second face opposite the first face;   a first 2D array of first connection points arranged on the first face of the connection interface, wherein each first connection point in each column of the first 2D array connects to a different host device from among a plurality of host devices, and wherein each first connection point in each row of the first 2D array connects to a single host device from among the plurality of host devices; and   a second 2D array of second connection points arranged on the second face of the connection interface, wherein each second connection point is connected to a respective first connection point, wherein each second connection point in each column of the second 2D array connects to a single network switch from among a plurality of network switches, and wherein each second connection point in each row of the second 2D array connects to a different network switch from among the plurality of network switches.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the connection interface comprises a planar panel. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the first connection points and the second connection points comprise electrical connectors, optical connectors, or a combination of electrical connectors and optical connectors. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a plurality of interconnects that connect the first connection points to the second connection points, wherein the first connection points and the second connection points are arranged on the connection interface such that each of the plurality of interconnects travels a minimum distance between a respective first connection point and a respective second connection point.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the first 2D array of the first connection points and the second 2D array of the second connection points are arranged on the connection interface to overlap one another in a plan view. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus for interconnecting devices in a network, comprising:
 a host device;   network switches that route traffic for the host device;   a housing that houses the host device and the network switches;   a panel in the housing and positioned between the host device and the network switches, the panel comprising a first face and a second face opposite the first face;   first connection points arranged on the first face of the panel in a first direction, wherein each first connection point is connectable to a corresponding port of the host device;   second connection points arranged on the second face of the panel in the first direction, wherein each second connection point is connected to a respective first connection point, and wherein each second connection point is connectable to a corresponding port of a different network switch in the network switches.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the first connection points are included in a first 2D array of connection points arranged on the first face of the panel, and wherein the second connection points are included in a second 2D array of connection points arranged on the second face of the panel. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 additional host devices housed in the housing, wherein each first connection point in each column of the first 2D array of connection points connects to a different host device, and wherein each first connection point in each row of the first 2D array of connection points connects to a single host device, and   wherein each second connection point in each column of the second 2D array connects to a single network switch of the network switches, and wherein each second connection point in each row of the second 2D array of connection points connects to a different network switch from among the network switches.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 additional host devices housed in the housing, wherein each first connection point in each row of the first 2D array of connection points connects to a different host device, and wherein each first connection point in each column of the first 2D array of connection points connects to a single host device, and   wherein each second connection point in each row of the second 2D array connects to a single network switch of the network switches, and wherein each second connection point in each column of the second 2D array of connection points connects to a different network switch from among the network switches.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the host device corresponds to a server.